There it sits

She starts, but won't run for long. She worked fine the other day. Starts but dies after a few minutes. some gas drips out of the carb.

Any ideas on where to start looking? Thanks in advance.

Re: There it sits

Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:35 pm

Check it for spark when it dies, if it restarts after sitting possible bad coil, make sure your fuel bowl does not have water in it and it froze, a block of ice will stop the fuelTim

Re: There it sits

Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:53 pm

Water was my first thought also. Like Tim said, when it quites the next time pull on of the plug wires off and watch for spark while someone cranks it over. That'll tell you what direction to take next.

Re: There it sits

Sun Dec 30, 2012 4:00 pm

Short run time. After short pause and engine starts - fuel related.

As previously mentioned, water/ice in fuel system. Purchase and install a bottle of fuel system dryer/deicer in the gas tank. Wait 15 to 30 minutes for deicer to clear fuel system.

Re: There it sits

Sun Dec 30, 2012 4:53 pm

also check gas cap vent for debris or ice. I alos learned the hard way once that a coil or condenser can cause that, though that is more rare.

Re: There it sits

Sun Dec 30, 2012 5:37 pm

Drain the carb bowl too...I've had short runs be both fuel and coil.

Re: There it sits

Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:22 pm

Will it keep running with the choke all the way on? If so the main jet is plugged. This is monday to friday, hot or cold weather possibility. The ice is a cold weather possibility. Pull the main jet, the brass hex on the side of an IH carb with the fuel on. Catch it in a can. If it runs freely the ice and fuel line block age before the carb are OK. Shut the fuel off. Next poke a piece of soft copper wire through the main jet such as telephone inside wire. next blow out the main jet with compressed air if you have it available. Let us know how you make out.

Re: There it sits

Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:25 pm

Yogie wrote:Water was my first thought also. Like Tim said, when it quites the next time pull on of the plug wires off and watch for spark while someone cranks it over. That'll tell you what direction to take next.

Or stick your finger onto the end of the spark plug wire--If you are tired and cold, it will wake and warm you up. LOL

Good luck.

Re: There it sits

Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:46 pm

Sounds like main jet, had it happen more than once. Starts then dies I would almost bet on it.

Re: There it sits

Mon Dec 31, 2012 12:05 am

With the weird changes in humidity that these last two storms have brought to the Eastern Seaboard and the Maritimes - check for water/condensation in the fuel, fuel sediment bowl and the carb. Right after a plugged jet this is a common occurrence in situations like we are experiencing the last week. Ellie ran pretty good tonight at -1C - but there were periods where she ran rough - missing a bit - sounds to me like she was suffering intermittent fuel starvation - water doesn't ignite well

Re: There it sits

Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:06 am

From your picture ,you got snow & ice on top of your fuel cap . Don’t take much to plug up the vent hole.Don't ask how I know

Re: There it sits

Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:42 am

I had a bad coil that acted that way. The only bad coil I have dealt with in my time messing with tractors and such. It is easy to rule it out if you have another tractor setting around. Of maybe a buddy does Good Luck

Re: There it sits

Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:56 am

It is most likely fuel related blockage or as said clogged vent in gas cap

Re: There it sits

Mon Dec 31, 2012 5:18 pm

I'm with Boss on this one ( and almost all of them) I had one that had the carb inlet screen plugged drove me crazy until I found it.